inward

adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: inward in a Sentence

Definition of inward

1 : situated on the inside : inner

2 a : of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b : absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3 : marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4 : directed toward the interior

See inward defined for English-language learners

See inward defined for kids

Examples of inward in a Sentence

moved towards the inward room for more privacy
he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

With just nine races left until the Chase begins, such inward reflection is becoming increasingly important for the native of Monterrey, Mexico.

— deaundra allen, charlotteobserver, "Suarez looks to use Coke Zero Sugar 400 as stepping stone," 6 July 2018
In front of the wolf, which really is lurking around like an unsubtle metaphor at this point, June emits a primal scream that is an expression of all of her inward trauma.

— refinery29.com, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2, Episode 11 Recap: The Wolf Is A Metaphor," 27 June 2018
Yoga postures that provide an inward rotation of the shoulder, like Cow Face Pose, create balanced flexibility.

— author: christine cunningham, Anchorage Daily News, "How the Cow Face Pose can make you a better duck hunter," 19 June 2018
Buy Photo For many Muslims, Ramadan brings a month of inward reflection, a time to get along with one’s fellow man and perform charitable acts.

— allison steele, Philly.com, "Ramadan a time for peace, joyful celebration - and nightly feasts," 5 June 2018
O'Malley: Lottie is such an inward character that almost everything is outside her comfort zone.

— will nevin, OregonLive.com, "Interview | Writer Bryan Lee O'Malley, artist Leslie Hung on the second, slimy arc of 'Snotgirl'," 21 May 2018
Europe is waking up to the risks and not just the benefits of inward investment, predominantly from China.

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Trump team faces long odds for trade breakthrough in Beijing," 3 May 2018
Ireland’s broadcasting authority and inward investment lobby group also met with media companies in London this week, explaining their regulatory approach and how to apply for broadcast licenses.

— Bloomberg.com, "Estonia Joins Race to Woo Broadcasters Mulling Brexit Move," 3 Apr. 2018
Some impetus for an inward move stems from his underwhelming NFL combine measurements.

— nick moyle, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas OT Williams could go in first round of NFL Draft," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inward

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard ¹-ward

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

inward Synonyms

inward

adverb \ ˈin-wərd \

variants: or inwards play \ˈin-wərdz\

Definition of inward

1 : toward the inside, center, or interior

2 : toward the inner being

See inward defined for English-language learners

Examples of inward in a Sentence

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.
He turned his attention inward.

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

Trump’s solution to this problem is too inward-looking, and frankly too xenophobic, to succeed.

— david dayen, The New Republic, "The Inevitable Death of Global Trade As We Know It," 12 July 2018
Wander among the tiled fountain systems, citrus orchards, perennial borders and cactus garden — all focused inward, surrounded and enclosed by tall stands of eucalyptus and palm trees.

— jill k. robinson, San Francisco Chronicle, "Santa Barbara serenity abounds in region’s 5 best public gardens," 14 June 2018
Playing Shakespeare’s Richard III, actor Faran Tahir holds a useless left arm to his side and limps with his left foot turned slightly inward.

— joel brown, BostonGlobe.com, "Capturing the villainy of Richard III, from the inside out," 12 July 2018
Sabin looked inward, into the invisible world inside her microscope, and into her own deductions, experiments and hypotheses.

— eliza mcgraw, Smithsonian, "Florence Sabin Pioneered Her Way in Medical Science, Then Made Sure Other Women Could Do the Same," 6 July 2018
Currently, an inward-focused, transactional White House is in no mood to practice strategic altruism and play the long game.

— atman trivedi, The New Republic, "The U.S.-India Relationship Needs Work," 15 May 2018
Brewer’s methods taught me to focus inward on my unease instead of seeking external rewards that aren’t always available.

— keri wiginton, Washington Post, "I tried mindfulness to quit drinking. It actually worked.," 5 Jan. 2018
Instead, richer countries have turned inward, slamming the doors to the displaced outside their borders.

— deirdre fernandes, BostonGlobe.com, "An education in hope," 7 July 2018
Historically, envelope-pushing menswear designers who have struggled to find an audience for their more androgynous, adventurous designs have turned inward, reinventing everything from the fanny pack to pockets to work boots.

— liz raiss, GQ, "This Summer's Best Sandals Got the Big Ugly Sneaker Treatment," 4 July 2018

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

inward

noun

Definition of inward

1 : something that is inward

2 inwards play \ˈin-ərdz, -wərdz\ plural : innards

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

July’s promise to you is something far greater and more enduring, and the temporary discomfort of quieting down and turning inwards will be well worth it.

— bess matassa, Teen Vogue, "Monthly Lovescopes July 2018," 2 July 2018
And so, in the months since my own diagnosis, my response has been to try and look outwards as well as inwards.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "The Inward Empire," 27 June 2018
The white garage door on the victim's house looked warped inwards, with enough space for someone to enter or exit.

— jordan cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "His friend said he wasn't returning calls. Homicide detectives now are investigating his death.," 24 June 2018
Do it: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in your right hand, palm facing inwards towards the torso.

— emily abbate, GQ, "The Best Abs Workouts: GQ’s Definitive Guide to Getting a Ripped Stomach," 14 June 2018
Turn it around so that the zipper or opening faces inwards, making discreet access harder.

— mark ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Reality of In-Flight Theft," 18 May 2018
Unfortunately, Purser’s obsessive thoughts began focusing inwards.

— meagan fredette, refinery29.com, "Shannon Purser Wants To Remind Everyone OCD Is About More Than Compulsions," 5 May 2018
Meanwhile, Chinese state media and government officials have seized on the dispute as an opportunity to portray China as a champion of free trade at a time when the US is turning inwards.

— michael holtz, The Christian Science Monitor, "US versus China: How a tussle for advantage fuels risk of a trade war," 12 Apr. 2018
For Richman and his family, the inward and the outward were immediately intertwined.

— isabel fattal, The Atlantic, "The Power of Grief-Fueled Activism," 2 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of inward

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

adjective

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: of or relating to a person's mind or spirit
: directed or moving toward the inside of something

inward

adverb

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

: toward the inside of something
: toward the mind or spirit

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

adjective in·ward \ ˈin-wərd \

Definition of inward for Students

1 : toward the inside or center

an inward curve

2 : of or concerning the mind or spirit

He felt inward joy.

inward

adverb

variants: or inwards \-wərdz\

Definition of inward for Students

1 : toward the inside or center

The door opens inward.

2 : toward the mind or spirit

I turned my thoughts inward.

Learn More about inward

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inward Spanish Central: Translation of inward Nglish: Translation of inward for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inward for Arabic speakers

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inward

Definition of inward

Examples of inward in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of inward

inward Synonyms

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inward

Definition of inward

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

inward

Definition of inward

Recent Examples of inward from the Web

First Known Use of inward

INWARD Defined for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

inward

Definition of inward for English Language Learners

INWARD Defined for Kids

inward

Definition of inward for Students

inward

Definition of inward for Students

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